I have been pwned by HL2.

[msurby]

I'd say the pulse rifle definitely punches harder and it's secondary mode is just plain nasty. You just have to pick and choose when to use it, as opposed to the SMG which has highly available ammo in the later game - the buggy has an infinite crate of the stuff!

[DD]

What is the secondary mode? For that matter, what are the secondary modes for all the weapons? Took me f-o-r-e-v-e-r to figure out that the sub has a grenade launcher....

[msurby]

It's a ball of energy that bounces around and disintegrates anything it touches and then explodes - very cool but somewhat sketchy. Also, disintegration includes any "loot" so that is a drawback.